2026 Whidbey Island Forest Owners Field Day schedule and descriptions

A hard copy of the descriptions and schedule will be provided when you check in upon arrival. Please check this final schedule as unforeseen changes may occur.

Class descriptions

Active enhancement: Habitat piles, surrogate logs, and nest boxes

Instructor: Ken Bevis, WA DNR
Everybody likes wildlife, but beyond the basic habitats provided on our land, what else can we do to enable or even encourage wildlife to survive and thrive. Covered topics include habitat piles, log surrogates, nest boxes, and more!

Forest diseases in western Washington

Instructor: Dan Omdal, WA DNR
Learn about major pathological risks to forest health and how to manage them while still meeting objectives for your woods. The focus will be on diseases and abiotic factors such as weather and drought.

Forest practices regulations for islands

Instructor: Hollis Crapo, WA DNR
Navigating permits and process for forest management activities. Do you need a permit to cut firewood? What about building a road? Who do you contact to find out?

Land trust forest restoration project snapshots

Instructor: Jessica Larson, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust works on a variety of forest restoration projects across Whidbey from 2 acres to over 500 acres. Learn about three projects that include forest thinning, field to forest conversion, and noxious weed removal.

Measuring trees for forest health monitoring

Instructor: Kelsey Ketcheson, WA DNR
Learn measurement techniques such as diameter, height, and density to help quantify what you have and identify needs and opportunities based on your objectives. Tools will be provided.

Native plant walk

Instructor: Kevin Zobrist, WSU
New to the area or new to the forest and wondering what tree is what? In this introductory-level class, you’ll learn about the most common native trees, shrubs, and groundcover in western Washington, how to identify them, and their growth characteristics.

Noxious weeds of western Washington forests

Instructor: Sarah Stewart, WSU
Learn how to identify common invasive weeds in your forest, and both chemical and non-chemical methods to effectively control them.

Thinning for ecosystem health

Instructors: Kevin Zobrist, WSU
Learn how to assess a stand to see if it needs to be thinned and how to develop a thinning prescription to improve health and resilience.

Tree planting and site preparation

Instructor: Nichole Snorteland, WA DNR
This will be a broad overview of items you will need to incorporate into your tree planting plan to ensure it is successful. This will cover site analysis, stock selection, site preparation, planting, and follow-up.

Understanding and managing forest soils

Instructor: Dave Peterson, University of Washington
We will examine a soil profile in depth, allowing everyone some hands-on experience. Then we will discuss soil characteristics, how they affect tree growth, and implications for forest management.

Wildfire preparedness for home and forest

Instructor: Kirk Troberg, WA DNR
Learn about what actions landowners can take on their property to prepare for and mitigate impacts from wildfires.

Wildlife habitat in the forests and prairies of Whidbey Island

Instructor: Ken Bevis, WA DNR
Learn about the wildlife species that call Whidbey Island forests home and what their habitat needs are.

Class Schedule – Updated 5/27/2026

Note: the schedule is always subject to last-minute changes due to unforeseen circumstances like instructor cancellation. If updates are necessary, they will be posted here.

Gates open: 8:00

Please check in at the check-in table. Exhibits will be open and refreshments will be available.

Session 1: 9:00 – 10:00

Station 1: Tree planting and site preparation
Station 3: Wildlife habitat in the forests and prairies of Whidbey Island
Station 5: Land trust forest restoration project snapshots
Registration Table: Wildfire preparedness for home and forest

Session 2: 10:10 – 11:10

Station 2: Measuring trees for forest health monitoring
Station 3: Active enhancement: habitat piles, surrogate logs, and nest boxes
Station 4: Noxious weeds of western Washington forests
Station 5: Forest practices regulations for islands
Registration Table: Wildfire preparedness for home and forest

Session 3: 11:20 – 12:20

Station 1: Tree planting and site preparation
Station 2: Forest diseases in western Washington
Station 3: Native plant walk
Station 4: Understanding and managing forest soils
Station 5: Forest practices regulations for islands

Lunch break: 12:20 – 1:20

Exhibits will be open. Pack a lunch and enjoy it in the shade under a tent!

Session 4: 1:20 – 2:20

Station 1: Thinning for ecosystem health
Station 2: Forest diseases in western Washington
Station 3: Wildlife habitat in the forests and prairies of Whidbey Island
Station 4: Understanding and managing forest soils

Session 5: 2:30 – 3:30

Station 1: Thinning for ecosystem health
Station 2: Measuring trees for forest health monitoring
Station 3: Active enhancement: habitat piles, surrogate logs, and nest boxes
Station 4: Noxious weeds of western Washington forests